Connecting to Collections Care

 View Only

  • 1.  Rehousing a Charred Architectural Object

    Posted 24 days ago

    Hello,

    I am currently researching best practices for rehousing a large (several feet across) charred wooden architectural object. It was removed from a building that was struck by lightning in the past when the building was renovated and is now in our collection. This large piece has been cleaned to museum standards but needs to be cataloged and stored. I have researched best practices for caring for large, charred objects, but most resources are either for large objects OR for recently burned objects salvaged from fires. This object is both large and the charring happened years ago. Might anyone in the group have experience with best practices for an object of this type? For example, what materials can be in contact with the charred portions, if any?

    Thank you in advance,

    DL



    ------------------------------
    Danielle LaRose
    Museum Technician
    National Park Service
    Washington
    United States
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Rehousing a Charred Architectural Object

    Posted 22 days ago

    Hi Danielle,

    As you write, oversize and burnt are each challenges for rehousing. Both together are doubly so! It would be helpful to know if the charring is even across the surface or if there are areas that are less affected and more structurally stable. Ideally it would be great to be able to support the piece adequately while minimizing surface contact with charred surfaces but that may not be possible if it was extensively burned. At first guess I would be inclined to look at the slick side of soft Tyvek wrap or Teflon (PTFE) "Relic Wrap" 

    There are some other materials that might be useful listed on this page https://spnhc.org/rehousing-materials/ excerpted from the rehousing chapter in the AIC/SPNHC Preventive Conservation Collection Storage book.  

    Are you able to share a picture with the group? That might facilitate some additional brainstorming.



    ------------------------------
    Rachael Arenstein
    A.M. Art Conservation, LLC
    rachael@amartconservation.com
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Rehousing a Charred Architectural Object

    Posted 18 days ago

    Hi Rachael,

    Thank you for your thoughtful response. There are two objects, one much more burned across the surface than the other. Currently each one is on a cart with the more stable side facing downward on blueboard (I have yet to see those sides). I appreciate the material recommendation and am looking into it with my supervisor. Here are a couple of pictures for reference, one of each object.

    Thank you,

    Danielle



    ------------------------------
    Danielle LaRose
    Museum Technician
    National Park Service
    Washington
    United States
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Rehousing a Charred Architectural Object

    Posted 17 days ago

    Hi Danielle,

    It is great that there is a "more stable side". I'd say less is more for storing these pieces. Ensuring adequate support on the stable side will be important. And protecting the fragile surface from dust and debris with a light dust cover using something like soft Tyvek might be helpful. But "less is more" might be the best approach here. The charred portions may flake and you could speak to a conservator about consolidatoin of those areas if necessary, as well has how to reduce the soot and debris from stable areas by gentle vacuuming and if appropriate absorene soot removal sponges.   



    ------------------------------
    Rachael Arenstein
    A.M. Art Conservation, LLC
    rachael@amartconservation.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content